Months-long search for Phoenix woman Roberta Louise Braden ends with her body being recovered

After a months-long search for Phoenix woman Roberta Louise Braden, the effort ended with her body being recovered.

Family and police say her remains were found in a remote area of South Mountain on Nov. 21 and were matched with dental records, confirming her identity.

"At this time there is no indication of foul play," police said.

Law enforcement and volunteers worked tirelessly in hopes to bring the missing 80-year-old home after she went missing on May 2.

A Silver Alert was issued by the Department of Public Safety on behalf of the Phoenix Police Department when she went missing after last being seen near 31st Way and Caldwell Street. She was described as a white woman, who is five feet and six inches tall, has brown hair and green eyes.

A $5,000 reward was being offered for her safe return.

Derek Powell headed up the search for his mom who he says he last saw on May 1. The family believes she went out for a walk by Derek’s brother’s house on that day.

"The next day we received a tip that she was seen hiking the Javelina Trail," Powell said. "Then on May 5th we got a confirmed sighting near 48th and Piedmont."

Since then, hundreds of volunteers have gathered, putting up flyers and asking people to look for Braden.

Evan Short is one of the volunteers who knew he needed to help.

"I just showed up to help somebody that needs the assistance. If I have any skills or anything like that, even bandwidth just to help out. They need help and I just felt an obligation to be of assistance however I could," Short said.

A tragic ending

Nearly seven months after her disappearance, the search came to an end.

"The past couple of months have been filled with uncertainty," Derek, her son, said.

Justin Powell, her other son, agrees, saying, "Whirlwind. I can’t describe it in any other way. Went from total shock and panic to hope to devastation to total confusion."

It’s news the brothers never wanted to hear.

Her family says she suffered from Alzheimer's.

"Never ever would stop thinking about her and every time I drive down the road, be looking for her. So that’s exactly what every day was like, and sometimes I didn’t even want to leave the house because I knew as soon as I left I would be looking at every person. I would see someone that looks kind of like her and have to go get a different angle and so that’s going to be gone now, but some closure is good," Justin said.

He says confusion plagued not only his family but also those in the community who care.

"People didn’t know if it was OK to say goodbye yet. People weren’t sure what to do and that confusion was difficult for a lot of people. This gives us a chance to hold a memorial or do something so that people have that chance to say goodbye."

The brothers want their mom to be remembered as the adventurous, kind-hearted, and loving person she was.

"I will always remember my mother," Derek said. "She was a fierce, independent and compassionate spirit. She always had time for us. She always had time for her students. She always had time for her friends."

A GoFundMe was set up to help with search efforts. The remaining funds will be used toward a scholarship in honor of Braden.

Roberta Louise Braden

LIST: Arizona missing persons cases - 2022